Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ENDING
CHILDHOOD
OBESITY
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON
ENDING
CHILDHOOD
OBESITY
WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
1.Pediatric Obesity – prevention and control. 2.Child. 3.Feeding Behavior. 4.Food Habits. 5.Exercise. 6.Diet. 7.Health Promotion.
8.National Health Programs. I.World Health Organization.
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vi Executive summary
2 Introduction
8 Guiding principles
12 Strategic objectives
16 Recommendations
40 Conclusions
42 References
48 ANNEX 2: Commissioners
iv
GLOSSARY AND
DEFINITIONS
BMI Body mass index = weight (kg)/height (m2).
UNHEALTHY FOODS Foods high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars or salt
1
Convention on the rights of the child, Treaty Series, 1577:3(1989): PART I, Article 1 defines a child as every human being below the age of eighteen years unless, under the law
applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescents as those between 10 and 19 years of age. The majority of adolescents
are, therefore, included in the age-based definition of “child”, adopted by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as a person under the age of 18 years.
2
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs394/en/.
3
http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/technical_report/en/.
4
http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/growthref_who_bulletin/en/. The new curves are closely aligned with the WHO Child Growth Standards at 5 years, and the
recommended adult cut-offs for overweight and obesity at 19 years. They fill the gap in growth curves and provide an appropriate reference for the 5–19-year age group.
v
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Childhood obesity is reaching on Ending Childhood Obesity No single intervention can halt
alarming proportions in many was established in 2014 to the rise of the growing obesity
countries and poses an urgent review, build upon and address epidemic. Addressing childhood
and serious challenge. The gaps in existing mandates and and adolescent obesity requires
Sustainable Development Goals, strategies. Having consulted consideration of the environmental
set by the United Nations in with over 100 WHO Member context and of three critical
2015, identify prevention and States and reviewed nearly 180 time periods in the life-course:
control of noncommunicable online comments (see Annex 1), preconception and pregnancy;
diseases as core priorities. Among the Commission has developed infancy and early childhood; and
the noncommunicable disease a set of recommendations to older childhood and adolescence.
risk factors, obesity is particularly successfully tackle childhood and In addition, it is important to treat
concerning and has the potential adolescent obesity in different children who are already obese,
to negate many of the health contexts around the world. for their own well-being and that of
benefits that have contributed to their children.
increased life expectancy. Many children today are
growing up in an obesogenic Obesity prevention and treatment
The prevalence of infant, environment that encourages requires a whole-of-government
childhood and adolescent obesity weight gain and obesity. approach in which policies across
is rising around the world. Energy imbalance has resulted all sectors systematically take
Although rates may be plateauing from the changes in food type, health into account, avoid harmful
in some settings, in absolute availability, affordability and health impacts, and thus improve
numbers there are more children marketing, as well as a decline population health and health
who are overweight and obese in in physical activity, with more equity.
low- and middle-income countries time being spent on screen-
than in high-income countries. based and sedentary leisure The Commission has developed
Obesity can affect a child’s activities. The behavioural and a comprehensive, integrated
immediate health, educational biological responses of a child package of recommendations to
attainment and quality of life. to the obesogenic environment address childhood obesity. It calls
Children with obesity are very can be shaped by processes for governments to take leadership
likely to remain obese as adults even before birth, placing an and for all stakeholders to
and are at risk of chronic illness. even greater number of children recognize their moral responsibility
on the pathway to becoming in acting on behalf of the child
Progress in tackling childhood obese when faced with an to reduce the risk of obesity. The
obesity has been slow and unhealthy diet and low physical recommendations are presented
inconsistent. The Commission activity. under the following areas.
vi
PROMOTE INTAKE OF
HEALTHY FOODS
WEIGHT PROMOTE
MANAGEMENT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
1
6 2
ENDING
CHILDHOOD
OBESITY
5 3
EARLY CHILDHOOD
DIET AND PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
vii
RECOMMENDATIONS
viii
2 IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMES
THAT PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND
REDUCE SEDENTARY BEHAVIOURS IN CHILDREN
AND ADOLESCENTS.
ix
4 PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON, AND SUPPORT FOR,
HEALTHY DIET, SLEEP AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN
EARLY CHILDHOOD TO ENSURE CHILDREN GROW
APPROPRIATELY AND DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS.
x
5 IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMES
THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY SCHOOL
ENVIRONMENTS, HEALTH AND NUTRITION
LITERACY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG
SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.
xi
ACTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS
xii
Nongovernmental A Raise the profile of childhood obesity prevention
organizations through advocacy efforts and the dissemination of
information.
B
Motivate consumers to demand that governments
support healthy lifestyles and that the food and
non-alcoholic beverage industry provide healthy
products, and do not market unhealthy foods
and sugar-sweetened beverages to children.
The private sector A Support the production of, and facilitate access to,
foods and non-alcoholic beverages that contribute to a
healthy diet.
The greatest obstacle to effective systems to track the prevalence complex issue of childhood
progress on reducing childhood of childhood obesity. These obesity. WHO, international
obesity is a lack of political systems are vital in providing organizations and their Member
commitment and a failure of data for policy development and States, as well as non-State
governments and other actors to in offering evidence of the impact actors, all have a critical role to
take ownership, leadership and and effectiveness of interventions. play in harnessing momentum
necessary actions. and ensuring that all sectors
The Commission would like remain committed to working
Governments must invest in robust to stress the importance and together to reach a positive
monitoring and accountability necessity of tackling the conclusion.
xiii
xiv
GOALS OF THE
COMMISSION
1
INTRODUCTION
The obesity epidemic has the middle-income countries than Many countries now face the
potential to negate many of in high-income countries (3). burden of malnutrition in all its
the health benefits that have Figure 2 shows the prevalence forms, with rising rates of childhood
contributed to the increased of overweight by WHO region obesity as well as high rates of
longevity observed in the world. and World Bank income group. child undernutrition and stunting.
In 2014, an estimated 41 million Prevalence data available for Childhood obesity is often under-
children under 5 years of age older children and adolescents recognized as a public health issue
were affected by overweight are currently being verified and in these settings, where, culturally,
or obesity (1) (defined as the are due to be released by WHO an overweight child is often
proportion of children with in 2016. To date, progress in considered to be healthy.
weight-for-height z-score values tackling childhood obesity has
more than 2 SDs and more been slow and inconsistent (4). In high-income countries, the risks
than 3 SDs, respectively, from of childhood obesity are greatest
the WHO growth standard An even greater number of in lower socioeconomic groups.
median (2)). Figure 1 shows children are, even from before Although currently the converse
the prevalence of overweight birth, on the pathway to is true in most low- and middle-
children under 5 years of age developing obesity. Children income countries, a changing
worldwide. In Africa, the number who are not yet at the body- pattern is emerging. Within
of children who are overweight mass-index (BMI)-for-age countries, certain population
or obese has nearly doubled threshold for the current subgroups, such as migrant
since 1990, increasing from definition of childhood obesity and indigenous children, are
5.4 million to 10.3 million. In or overweight may be at an at a particularly high risk of
2014, of children under 5 years increased risk of developing becoming obese (5), due to rapid
of age who were overweight, obesity. The recommendations acculturation and poor access
48% lived in Asia and 25% in in this report also address to public health information.
Africa (1). The prevalence of the needs of these children. As countries undergo rapid
infant, childhood and adolescent Undernutrition in early childhood socioeconomic and/or nutrition
obesity may be plateauing in places children at an especially transitions, they face a double
some settings, but in absolute high risk of developing obesity burden in which inadequate
numbers more overweight and when food and physical activity nutrition and excess weight gain
obese children live in low- and patterns change. co-exist (6).
2
FIGURE1:
AGE-STANDARDIZED PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT IN CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE,
COMPARABLE ESTIMATES, 2014
Latest Prevalence
(0) No data
(1) < 5.0%
(2) 5.0 - 9.9%
(3) 10.0 - 14.9%
(4) 15.0 - 19.9%
(5) ≥ 20%
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization
concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent
approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. All rights reserved. Copyright – WHO 2015.
FIGURE2:
PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT IN CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE, BY WHO REGION AND
WORLD BANK INCOME GROUP, COMPARABLE ESTIMATES, 2014
14
12
10
Overweight (%)
0
AFR AMR EMR EUR SEAR WPR High Upper Lower Low
income middle middle income
income income
AFR=African Region, AMR=Region of Americas, SEAR=South-East Asia Region, EUR=European Region, EMR=Eastern Mediterranean Region, WPR=Western Pacific Region.
Source: UNICEF, WHO, The World Bank. Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates. (UNICEF, New York; WHO, Geneva; The World Bank, Washington, DC; 2015).
3
Obesity arises from a a decline in physical activity for
combination of exposure of the transport or play, have resulted
child to an unhealthy environment in energy imbalance. Children
(often called the obesogenic are exposed to ultra-processed,
environment (7)) and inadequate energy-dense, nutrient-poor
behavioural and biological foods, which are cheap and
responses to that environment. readily available. Opportunities
These responses vary among for physical activity, both in and
individuals and are strongly out of school, have been reduced
influenced by developmental or and more time is spent on screen-
life-course factors. based and sedentary leisure
activities.
Many children today are
growing up in environments Cultural values and norms
that encourage weight gain influence the perception of
and obesity. With globalization healthy or desirable body weight,
and urbanization, exposure to especially for infants, young
the obesogenic environment is children and women. In some
increasing in both high-income settings, overweight and obesity
countries and low- and middle- are becoming social norms
income countries and across all and thus contributing to the
socioeconomic groups. Changes perpetuation of the obesogenic
in food availability and type, and environment.
10.3 MILLION
In Africa, the number of children
who are overweight or obese
has nearly doubled since 1990,
increasing from 5.4 million to
10.3 million.
4
5
The risk of obesity can be passed placental insufficiency. The mother entering pregnancy with
from one generation to the next, underlying processes involve obesity or pre-existing diabetes,
as a result of behavioural and/ environmental effects on gene or developing gestational
or biological factors. Behavioural function (epigenetic effects) that diabetes. This predisposes the
influences continue through do not necessarily have obvious child to increased fat deposits
generations as children inherit effects on measures such as birth associated with metabolic disease
socioeconomic status, cultural weight (8). Children who have and obesity. This pathway
norms and behaviours, and suffered from undernutrition and may also involve epigenetic
family eating and physical activity were born with low birth weight processes. Recent research
behaviours. or are short-for-age (stunted), are indicates that paternal obesity
at far greater risk of developing can also contribute to a greater
Biological factors can lead to overweight and obesity when risk of obesity in the child (9),
an increase in the risk of obesity faced with energy-dense diets probably through epigenetic
in children through two general and a sedentary lifestyle later mechanisms. Inappropriate early
developmental pathways: in life. Attempts to deal with infant feeding also impacts on
undernutrition and stunting during the child’s developing biology.
(i) The “mismatch” pathway. childhood may have led to the Appropriate interventions before
This results from malnutrition unintended consequences of conception, during pregnancy
– sometimes subtle – during obesity risk for these children. and in infancy may prevent some
fetal and early childhood of these effects, but these may
development, due, for example, (ii) The developmental pathway. not easily be reversed once a
to poor maternal nutrition or This is characterized by the critical period of development
In absolute
numbers more
overweight and
obese children
live in low- and
middle-income
countries than
in high-income
countries.
6
has passed. Since many women education and establishing of noncommunicable diseases
do not consult a healthcare regulatory frameworks to address impair the individual’s lifetime
professional until the end of developmental and environmental educational attainment and labour
the first trimester, it is essential risks, in order to support families’ market outcomes and place a
to promote knowledge of the efforts to change behaviours. significant burden on health-care
importance of healthy behaviours Parents, families, caregivers and systems, family, employers and
in adolescents, young women and educators also play a critical society as a whole (20).
men before conception and in role in encouraging healthy
early pregnancy. behaviours. Prevention of childhood obesity
will result in significant economic
Overweight and obesity are Obesity has physical and intergenerational benefits that
not absolute cut-offs and many and psychological health currently cannot be accurately
children are on the pathway to consequences during childhood, estimated or quantified. Spill-over
obesity when they are within adolescence and into adulthood. benefits also include improved
the normal range for BMI-for- Obesity itself is a direct cause maternal and reproductive health
age. The health consequences of morbidities in childhood and a reduction in obesogenic
of overweight and obesity are including gastrointestinal, exposure for all members of
also continuous and can affect musculoskeletal and orthopaedic the population, thus further
a child’s quality of life before complications, sleep apnoea, strengthening the case for urgent
BMI-for-age cut-offs are reached. and the accelerated onset of action.
Across the distribution of BMI cardiovascular disease and
there is a trend for individuals type-2 diabetes, as well as the
to have more body fat and comorbidities of the latter two
less lean muscle mass than in noncommunicable diseases
previous generations (10). The (12). Obesity in childhood
pattern of fat deposit in the can contribute to behavioural
body is also important in terms and emotional difficulties, such
of health outcomes (11). Some as depression, and can also
population groups have more lead to stigmatization and
fat deposits and less lean muscle poor socialization and reduce
mass than others at the same educational attainment (13, 14).
BMI. Although BMI is the simplest
means to identify children who Critically, childhood obesity is a
are overweight and obese, it strong predictor of adult obesity,
does not necessarily identify which has well known health and
children with abdominal fat economic consequences, both
deposits that put them at greater for the individual and society
risk of health complications. as a whole (15, 16). Although
While new methodologies are longitudinal studies suggest that
available, such as dual-energy improving BMI in adulthood can
X-ray absorptiometry, magnetic reduce the risk of morbidity and
resonance imaging or body mortality (17), childhood obesity
impedance to measure body fat will leave a permanent imprint on
and lean mass, these are currently adult health (18).
beyond the scope of population- Childhood obesity
based surveys. Evidence on the lifetime cost of is a strong
childhood obesity is developing,
None of these upstream causal but is scarce compared with predictor of adult
factors are in the control of that on the economic burden of obesity, which has
the child. Therefore, childhood adult obesity. To date, studies
obesity should not be seen as a have concentrated primarily on well known health
result of voluntary lifestyle choices, healthcare expenditure, ignoring and economic
particularly by the younger child. other costs, including the cost of
Given that childhood obesity the accelerated onset of adult consequences,
is influenced by biological and diseases and the tendency for both for the
contextual factors, governments childhood obesity to continue
must address these issues by into adulthood with attendant
individual and
providing public health guidance, economic costs (19). Early onset society as a whole.
7
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
1
Committee on the Rights of the Child: General comment No. 15 (2013) on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health (art. 24), para 47;
CRC/C/GC/15.
2
Resolution WHA59.26 on international trade and health.
8
9
and design, and transport engagement of all sectors of improvements in social and health
planning, all impact directly society at the national, regional capital, and increase inequity.
on opportunities for physical and global levels. Without
activity and access to healthy joint ownership and shared Aligning with the global
foods. Intersectoral government responsibility, well-meaning and development agenda:
structures can facilitate cost-effective interventions have The Sustainable Development
coordination, identify mutual limited reach and impact. Goals (SDG) call for an end to
interest, collaboration and malnutrition in all its forms (SDG
exchange of information through Equity: Governments should target 2.2) and a reduction
coordinating mechanisms. ensure equitable coverage of in premature mortality from
interventions, particularly for noncommunicable diseases (SDG
A whole-of-society excluded, marginalized or target 3.4). Childhood obesity
approach: The complexity of otherwise vulnerable population undermines the physical, social
obesity calls for a comprehensive groups, who are at high risk both and psychological well-being
approach involving all actors, of malnutrition in all its forms of children and is a known risk
including governments, parents, and of developing obesity. These factor for adult obesity and
caregivers, civil society, population groups often have noncommunicable diseases.
academic institutions and the poor access to healthy foods, safe Progress will be made in achieving
private sector. Moving from places for physical activity and these goals by tackling this issue.
policy to action to address preventative health services and
childhood obesity demands support. Obesity and its associated Accountability: Political and
a concerted effort and an morbidities erode the potential financial commitment is imperative
10
in combatting childhood Declaration of the High-level fundamental right to health, while
obesity. A robust mechanism Meeting of the General Assembly reducing the burden on the health
and framework is needed to on the Prevention and Control of system.
monitor policy development and Non-communicable diseases,3
implementation, thus facilitating and the Rome Declaration of the Universal Health Coverage6
the accountability of governments, Second International Conference and treatment of obesity:
civil society and the private sector on Nutrition.4 There are a number Sustainable Development Goal
on commitments made. of current WHO and other United target 3.8 calls for the achievement
Nations agencies strategies and of Universal Health Coverage
Integration into a life- implementation plans related to through integrated health services
course approach: Integrating optimizing maternal, infant and that enable people to receive a
interventions to address childhood child nutrition and adolescent continuum of health promotion,
obesity with existing WHO and health that are highly relevant to disease prevention, diagnosis,
other initiatives, using a life-course key elements of a comprehensive treatment and management,
approach, will offer additional approach to obesity prevention. over the course of a lifetime.7 As
benefits for longer-term health. Relevant principles and such, prevention of overweight
These initiatives include the United recommendations can be found and obesity and the treatment of
Nations Secretary General’s in documents providing guidance children already obese, and those
Global Strategy for Women’s, throughout the life-course.5 with overweight who are on the
Children’s and Adolescent’s Initiatives to address childhood pathway to obesity, should be
Health,1 the Every Woman, Every obesity should build upon these considered an element of Universal
Child initiative,2 the Political to help children realize their Health Coverage.
1
http://www.who.int/life-course/partners/global-strategy/global-strategy-2016-2030/en/.
2
http://www.everywomaneverychild.org.
3
http://www.who.int/nmh/events/un_ncd_summit2011/political_declaration_en.pdf.
4
http://www.fao.org/3/a-ml542e.pdf.
5
WHA Resolutions: WHA53.17 on Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases; WHA57.17 on the Global
Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health; WHA61.14 on Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases:
Implementation of the Global Strategy; WHA63.14 on Marketing of Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages to Children;
WHA65.6 on the Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition; and WHA66.10
on the follow-up to the Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and
Control of Non-communicable diseases; WHA68.19 Outcome of the Second International Conference on Nutrition.
Meeting to Develop a Global Consensus on Preconception Care to Reduce Maternal and Childhood Mortality and
Morbidity, WHO, 2013; The optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Report of an expert consultation, WHO,
2001; Complementary feeding. Report of global consultation: summary of guiding principles, WHO, 2002; Global
recommendations on physical activity for health, WHO, 2012; Population-based approaches to childhood obesity
prevention, WHO, 2010; PAHO/AMRO Plan of Action for the Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents, 53rd
Directing Council, 66th Session of the Regional Committee of WHO for the Americas, October 2014; Resolution EUR/
RC63/R4 Vienna Declaration on Nutrition and Noncommunicable Diseases in the Context of Health 2020; WPR/RC63.
R2 Scaling up Nutrition in the Western Pacific Region.
6
http://www.who.int/universal_health_coverage/en/.
7
United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/67/L36 Global Health and Foreign Policy.
11
STRATEGIC
OBJECTIVES
No single intervention can halt the rise of the
growing obesity epidemic. To successfully
challenge childhood obesity requires
addressing the obesogenic environment as
well as critical elements in the life-course.
TACKLE THE
OBESOGENIC
ENVIRONMENT
AND NORMS
1 2
The major goals of addressing agreements, fiscal and agricultural the feeding of children and the
the environmental components policies and food systems); the status associated with higher body
include improving healthy eating built environment (availability of mass in some population groups,
and physical activity behaviours healthy foods, infrastructure and social restrictions on physical
of children. A number of factors opportunities for physical activity activity) and family environment
influence the obesogenic in the neighbourhood); social (parental nutrition knowledge and
environment, including political norms (body weight and image behaviours, family economics,
and commercial factors (trade norms, cultural norms regarding family eating behaviours).
12
REDUCE THE RISK OF
OBESITY BY ADDRESSING
CRITICAL ELEMENTS
IN THE LIFE-COURSE
3 4 5
Developmental factors change both the biology and behaviour of individuals from
before birth and through infancy, such that they develop with a greater or lesser
risk of developing obesity. The Commission considers it essential to address both the
environmental context and three critical time periods in the life-course: preconception and
pregnancy, infancy and early childhood and older childhood and adolescence.
It is the primary responsibility at each stage of the life-course. approach can be integrated into
of governments to ensure that By focusing attention on these other components of the maternal-
policies and actions address sensitive periods of the life-course, neonatal-child health agenda,
the obesogenic environment interventions can address specific and to the broader effort to tackle
and to provide guidance and risk factors, both individually noncommunicable diseases across
support for optimal development and in combination. Such an the whole population.
13
TREAT CHILDREN
WHO ARE OBESE
TO IMPROVE THEIR
CURRENT AND
FUTURE HEALTH
6
ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Commission recognizes that local levels. They should also
the scope of potential policy gather data on nutrition, eating
recommendations to address behaviours and physical activity
childhood obesity is broad and of children and adolescents
contains a number of novel across different socioeconomic
elements, including a focus on the groups and settings. Although
life-course dimension and on the some data are collected (21),
education sector. A multisectoral there remains a significant gap
approach will be essential for for children over 5 years of age
sustained progress. that needs addressing. This data
will guide the development of
Countries should measure BMI-for- appropriate policy priorities and
age to establish the prevalence provide a baseline against which
and trends in childhood obesity to measure the success of policies
at national, regional and and programmes.
14
15
RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations and accompanying rationales,
presented below, were developed by the Commission
following the review of the scientific evidence, the
reports of the ad hoc working groups to the WHO
Director-General, and feedback from the regional
and online consultations. The effectiveness, cost-
effectiveness, affordability and applicability of
policies and interventions were also considered.
16
IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMES
1 THAT PROMOTE THE INTAKE OF HEALTHY FOODS
AND REDUCE THE INTAKE OF UNHEALTHY
FOODS AND SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES BY
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
17
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
1.2 The adoption of fiscal measures for obesity prevention has received
a great deal of attention (23) and is being implemented in a
Implement an effective number of countries.1 Overall, the rationale for taxation measures
tax on sugar-sweetened to influence purchasing behaviours is strong and supported by the
beverages. available evidence (24, 25). Further evidence will become available
as countries that implement taxes on unhealthy foods and/or sugar-
sweetened beverages monitor their progress.2 The Commission
believes there is sufficient rationale to warrant the introduction of an
effective tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
1
http://www.wcrf.org/int/policy/nourishing-framework/use-economic-tools.
2
See preliminary data on Mexico tax on sugar-sweetened beverages which has been submitted for publication (http://www.insp.mx/epppo/blog/3666-reduccion-consumo-bebidas.html).
3
WHA63.14 on the Marketing of Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages to Children.
18
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
1
WHA56.23 Joint FAO/WHO evaluation of the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
19
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
Healthy eating habits can be nurtured from infancy and have both
1.7
biological and behavioural dimensions. This requires caregiver
Implement interpretive front- understanding of the relationship between diet and health, and
of-pack labelling supported behaviours to encourage and support the development of such healthy
by public education of both habits. Simple, easy to understand food labelling systems can support
adults and children for nutrition education and help caregivers and children to make healthier
nutrition literacy. choices.
1.9 Nutrition literacy and knowledge of healthy food choices also cannot
be acted upon if such foods are not readily available or affordable.
Increase access to healthy Influencing the food environment requires a collaborative approach
foods in disadvantaged to food production, processing, accessibility, availability and
communities. affordability. Where access to healthy foods is limited, ultra-processed
foods are often the only available and affordable alternatives. A
number of public and private sector initiatives to promote healthier
food behaviours have been developed and the limited evidence
available indicates the potential to promote healthier choices among
consumers (34). Such initiatives, where they are supported by
evidence, are to be encouraged.
20
IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMES
2 THAT PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND REDUCE
SEDENTARY BEHAVIOURS IN CHILDREN AND
ADOLESCENTS.
81%
of adolescents do not achieve
the recommended 60 minutes
of physical activity each day.
1
http://apps.who.int/gho/data/view.main.2482ADO?lang=en.
21
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
22
23
INTEGRATE AND STRENGTHEN GUIDANCE FOR
3 NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASE PREVENTION
WITH CURRENT GUIDANCE FOR PRECONCEPTION
AND ANTENATAL CARE, TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
CHILDHOOD OBESITY.
1
Committee on the Rights of the Child: General comment No. 15 (2013) on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health (art. 24), para 53;
CRC/C/GC/15.
24
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
3.2
25
PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON AND SUPPORT FOR
4 HEALTHY DIET, SLEEP AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN
EARLY CHILDHOOD TO ENSURE CHILDREN GROW
APPROPRIATELY AND DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS.
The first years of life are critical risk factors for childhood obesity.
in establishing good nutrition Encouraging the intake of a variety
and physical activity behaviours of healthy foods, rather than
that reduce the risk of developing unhealthy, energy-dense, nutrient-
obesity. Exclusive breastfeeding poor foods and sugar-sweetened
for the first six months of life, beverages, during this critical
followed by the introduction of period supports optimal growth and
appropriate complementary foods, development. Health-care providers
is a significant factor in reducing can use routine growth monitoring
the risk of obesity (51). Appropriate opportunities to track children’s
complementary feeding with BMI-for-age and give appropriate
continued breastfeeding can reduce advice to caregivers to help prevent
the risk of undernutrition and excess children developing overweight
body fat deposition in infants, both and obesity.
26
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
4.3
4.4
Support mothers to
breastfeed, through
regulatory measures
such as maternity leave,
facilities and time for
breastfeeding in the work
place.4
1
WHA34.22 International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
2
WHA35.26, WHA37.30, WHA39.28, WHA41.11, WHA43.3, WHA45.34, WHA47.5, WHA49.15, WHA54.2, WHA55.25, WHA58.32, WHA59.21, WHA61.20 and WHA63.23 on
Infant and Young Child Nutrition; WHA65.6 Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition.
3
WHO UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, 1991, updated 2009 (http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/infantfeeding/bfhi_trainingcourse/en/).
4
International Labour Organization, Maternity Protection Convention 183, 2000.
27
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
4.5 Established global guidance for infant and young child feeding
primarily targets undernutrition. It is also important to consider the
Develop regulations on the risks created by unhealthy diets in infancy and childhood.
marketing of complementary
foods and beverages, in line Guidelines that address both undernutrition and obesity risk are
with WHO recommendations, clearly needed for countries where there is malnutrition in all its
to limit the consumption of forms (32).
foods and beverages high in
fat, sugar and salt by infants Current complementary feeding guidelines (52) provide guidance
and young children. on the timing of introduction, responsive feeding, quantity and
types of foods needed.
4.6 Family attitudes to eating and perceptions of ideal body weight are
important determinants of complementary feeding behaviours and
Provide clear guidance and
need to be considered.
support to caregivers to
avoid specific categories Recent evidence shows that sensory experiences related to food
of foods (e.g. sugar- begin in utero and continue during breastfeeding, and that the
sweetened milks and fruit flavours of foods mothers eat are transmitted to their infants. This
juices or energy-dense, and appropriate complementary feeding can play an important
nutrient-poor foods) for role in establishing food preferences and appetite control.
the prevention of excess Encouraging healthy food variety in children through repeated,
weight gain. positive exposure to new foods (53), seeing caregivers and family
members enjoy healthy foods, and limiting their exposure to
4.7 unhealthy foods (that may lead to preferences for very sweet foods
and drinks), all help develop good food habits in children and their
Provide clear guidance and families (54).
support to caregivers to
encourage the consumption
of a wide variety of healthy
foods.
Breastfeeding is core to
optimizing infant development,
growth and nutrition.
28
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
4.8 There is evidence that poor sleeping patterns, low physical activity
and an excess number of hours spent on screen-based entertainment
Provide guidance to are associated with increased risk of obesity in childhood (38–40).
caregivers on appropriate The evidence to support early interventions to prevent obesity in high-
nutrition, diet and portion income countries is still emerging, but looks very promising. Evidence
size for this age group. supports interventions in pre-school and child-care settings for children
aged 2–5 years for early child feeding, activity patterns, media
exposures and sleep that help to promote healthy behaviours and
4.9 weight trajectories in this period of life (55).
Ensure only healthy foods,
Several strategies in this age group have also supported parents
beverages and snacks are
and caregivers to ensure appropriate television/screen viewing,
served in formal child-care
encourage active play, establish healthy eating behaviours and diets,
settings or institutions.
promote healthy sleep routines and role-model healthy caregiver and
family lifestyle (55).
4.10
The evidence shows that interventions to improve child nutrition, sleep
Ensure food education and physical activity are most effective if these are comprehensive and
and understanding are involve caregivers and the community at large (55). Societal changes
incorporated into the and transitions require a more deliberate and concerted interventions,
curriculum in formal including support for parents and other caregivers to enable them to
child-care settings or contribute to the recommended behaviour changes.
institutions.
4.11
4.12
Provide guidance on
appropriate sleep time,
sedentary or screen-time and
physical activity or active
play for the 2–5 years of age
group.
4.13
Engage the whole-of-the-
community to support
caregivers and child-care
settings to promote healthy
lifestyles for young children.
29
IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMES
5 THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY SCHOOL
ENVIRONMENTS, HEALTH AND NUTRITION
LITERACY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG
SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.
30
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
1
UNESCO Quality physical education (QPE). Guidelines for policy-makers, Paris 2015.
31
PROVIDE FAMILY-BASED, MULTICOMPONENT
6 LIFESTYLE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE OBESE.
RECOMMENDATIONS RATIONALE
32
ACTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR IMPLEMENTING
THE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Commission recognizes that successful implementation of the recommendations requires
the committed input, focus and support of a number of agencies. Necessary actions and
responsibilities would involve the following:
WHO
ACTION RATIONALE
Using its normative function, both globally and through its network of
B regional and country offices, WHO can provide technical assistance
by developing or building on guidelines, tools and standards to
Develop, in consultation
support the recommendations of the Commission and other relevant
with Member States, a
WHO mandates at country level.
framework to implement
the recommendations of the
WHO can disseminate guidance for implementation, monitoring and
Commission.
accountability, and monitor and report on progress to end childhood
obesity.
C
Strengthen capacity to
provide technical support
for action to end childhood
obesity at global, regional
and national levels.
D
Support international
agencies, national
governments and relevant
stakeholders in building
upon existing commitments
to ensure that relevant
actions to end childhood
obesity are implemented
at global, regional and
national level.
33
ACTION RATIONALE
Promote collaborative
research on ending childhood
obesity with a focus on the
life-course approach.
International organizations
ACTION RATIONALE
Members States
ACTION RATIONALE
34
ACTION RATIONALE
NON-STATE ACTORS
There are many ways in which non- As this report shows, the risk school and social environment, by
State actors can play an important of childhood obesity is greatly cultural attitudes to body image, by
and supportive role in addressing influenced by food, physical activity the behaviour of adults and by the
the challenge of childhood obesity. and eating behaviours, by the conduct of the private sector.
Nongovernmental organizations
ACTION RATIONALE
35
ACTION RATIONALE
Contribute to the
development and
implementation of
a monitoring and
accountability mechanism.
ACTION RATIONALE
36
Philanthropic foundations
ACTION RATIONALE
Academic institutions
ACTION RATIONALE
C
Support monitoring and
accountability activities.
37
MONITORING AND
ACCOUNTABILITY
The greatest risk to effective therefore begin with the adoption currently exist which countries
progress on childhood obesity of meaningful policies that give could draw upon and integrate
is a lack of political commitment clear guidance on the actions into a comprehensive national
and that governments and required and the timeframe for monitoring framework for
other actors will fail to take doing so. childhood obesity. These include
ownership, leadership and the the Global Monitoring Framework
necessary actions. A whole Governments should prioritize for Noncommunicable Diseases1
of society approach offers the investment in building robust and the Global Monitoring
best opportunity for addressing systems with specific indicators Framework for Maternal, Infant
childhood obesity. Both that measure childhood obesity and Young Child Nutrition.2
governments and other actors, and related determinants (such
notably, civil society can hold as fitness and nutrition) in a National strategic leadership
each other and private sector standardized manner. This is includes establishing the
entities to account, to ensure they critical to demonstrating the scale governance structures across
adopt policies and comply with of the problem, providing data a variety of sectors that are
standards. Strong commitments for setting national targets and necessary to manage the
must be accompanied by strong guiding policy development. development and implementation
implementation systems and Well established monitoring of laws, policies and
well-defined accountability systems can provide evidence programmes. National leadership
mechanisms. of the impact and effectiveness is also necessary to manage
of interventions in reducing the engagement with non-State
Governments bear primary prevalence of childhood obesity. actors, such as nongovernmental
responsibility for setting the policy organizations, the private
and regulatory framework for The Commission is aware that sector and academic institutions
the prevention and management governments do not want to to successfully implement
of childhood obesity at the increase the reporting burden. A programmes, activities and
country level. Accountability must number of monitoring mechanisms investments.
1
WHA66.10 Follow-up to the Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases
2
WHA68(14) Maternal, infant and young child nutrition: development of the core set of indicators
38
A whole-of-government approach sector (including retailers, food in ensuring accountability.
requires that a clear chain of manufacturers, food services, While these examples do not
responsibility and accountability insurers) to address obesity that cover all potential accountability
is established and that relevant are supported by an independent mechanisms, optimal results will
institutions, tasked with developing evidence base, should be be achieved by using a mix of
or implementing interventions, considered. Conflict of interest risks accountability tools and strategies.
are held accountable for the need to be identified, assessed
performance of those tasks. and managed in a transparent The Commission has noted
and appropriate manner. Codes the important influence that
Civil society can play a critical of conduct and independently trade policies can have on the
role in bringing social, moral and audited assessments of compliance obesogenic environment. This
political pressure on governments with government oversight are is particularly the case for small
to fulfil their commitments (61). therefore important. island states that are highly
Ending childhood obesity should dependent on imported foods
now form part of civil society’s Governments can use their and where the nature of the
agenda for advocacy and regulatory power to improve the food supply and pricing are
accountability. food environment, to enforce largely determined by the trade
regulatory standards, to implement dynamics. The Commission
The Commission recognizes the internationally-recognized acknowledges the complexity of
important role the private sector standards such as the WHO international trade, particularly
can play in addressing childhood International Code of Marketing in food and agricultural products,
obesity but that additional of Breast-milk Substitutes,1 and the but urges Member States and
accountability strategies, including WHO Set of Recommendations on those involved in international
legal, market-based and media- the Marketing of Foods and Non- trade arrangements to seek ways
based mechanisms (62) are often alcoholic Beverages to Children.2 to address the trade issues that
necessary. Initiatives of the private Scorecards can be useful tools impact on child obesity.
1
WHA34.22 International Code of Marketing of Breast-
milk Substitutes.
2
WHA63.14 Marketing of Food and Non-alcoholic
Beverages to Children.
39
CONCLUSIONS
40
41
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44
CHILDHOOD OBESITY
UNDERMINES THE
PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-
BEING OF CHILDREN
AND IS A KNOWN
RISK FACTOR FOR
ADULT OBESITY AND
NONCOMMUNICABLE
DISEASES. THERE IS
AN URGENT NEED TO
ACT NOW TO IMPROVE
THE HEALTH OF THIS
GENERATION AND
THE NEXT.
45
ANNEX 1:
THE COMMISSION
ON ENDING
CHILDHOOD OBESITY
The prevalence of infant, childhood and eminent individuals from a During the second meeting, held
and adolescent obesity is variety of relevant backgrounds. in Geneva on 13 and 14 January
increasing in many countries, with The Commission was tasked with 2015, the Commission reviewed
the most rapid rises occurring in preparing a consensus report the second report of the Ad hoc
low- and middle-income countries. specifying the approaches and Working Group on Science and
Without intervention, obese infants combinations of interventions Evidence and the first report of
and young children are likely that are likely to be most effective the Ad hoc Working Group on
to continue to be obese during in tackling childhood and Implementation, Monitoring and
childhood, adolescence and adolescent obesity in different Accountability, and developed the
adulthood. contexts around the world. The Interim Report of the Commission
Commission reviewed, built upon on Ending Childhood Obesity.
Childhood obesity is associated and addressed gaps in existing This provided the rationale for
with a wide range of health mandates and strategies on the tackling childhood obesity and the
complications and an increased prevention of childhood obesity. imperative for governments to take
risk of premature onset of The work of the Commission was the lead in addressing the issue.
illnesses, including diabetes and supported by two ad hoc working The Interim Report highlighted
heart disease. Many causes and groups for ending childhood potential policy options for tackling
potential solutions to this problem obesity – one on the science the obesogenic environment,
exist. However, as is the case and evidence, and the other on reducing the risk of obesity by
with all public health strategies, implementation, monitoring and addressing critical elements in
there are many challenges to accountability. the life-course approach and the
implementation. Only through management of children with
a combination of community The Commission held four meetings obesity to improve their current and
partnerships, government support and, as part of its working future health.
and scientific research will the best methods, undertook regional
recommendations be developed consultations with Member States The Interim Report also served as
and implemented worldwide. as well as hearings with non- the basis for an online consultation
State actors. The first meeting from 16 March to 5 June 2015.
In order to better inform and took place in Geneva on 17 and Eighty-one entities, including
fashion a comprehensive response 18 July 2014, during which the Member States, nongovernmental
to childhood obesity, the WHO Commission reviewed the report organizations, philanthropic
Director-General established of the first meeting of the Ad hoc foundations, academia,
a high-level Commission on Working Group on Science and researchers, the private sector and
Ending Childhood Obesity, Evidence and developed its method individuals submitted comments on
comprising fifteen accomplished of work. the Interim Report.
46
THE MANILA CAIRO
COMMISSION The Philippines Egypt
ALSO HELD
SEVEN 24/25 March 2/3 July
for the Western Pacific for the Eastern
REGIONAL Region mainland Mediterranean Region
CONSULTATIONS countries countries
WITH MEMBER
STATES:
VALLETTA
Malta
28/29 October
for the European
Region countries
The Commission convened its the Ad hoc Working Group on from September to November
third meeting on 22 and 23 June Implementation, Monitoring and 2015 for comments by relevant
2015 in Hong Kong Special Accountability and an evidence stakeholders; 98 submissions
Administrative Region, Republic update from the Ad hoc Working were received and reviewed.
of China. During this meeting Group on Science and Evidence.
the Commission reviewed the Following the period of
comments received from Member At the third meeting, the consultations, the Commission held
States on agenda item 13.3 at Commission developed its its fourth meeting in Geneva on
the 68th World Health Assembly, final draft report detailing 30 November and 1 December
the feedback received from potential policy directions for the 2015, to review the feedback
the online consultations as well consideration of Member States. received, consider the reports of
as the regional consultation The draft final report served as the the two ad hoc working groups
and hearings with the Western basis for regional consultations and develop their final report. This
Pacific mainland countries. The for the Region of the Americas, final report of the Commission on
Commission also received from South-East Asia Region, African Ending Childhood Obesity will be
the WHO Director-General a Region and European region. The submitted to the WHO Director-
report of the second meeting of report was also placed online General in January 2016.
47
ANNEX 2:
COMMISSIONERS
48
49
Photo credits
Cover:
© 2007 Iryna Shabaykovych, Courtesy of Photoshare
© 2013 Valerie Caldas/ Johns Hopkins University Center
for Communication Programs, Courtesy of Photoshare
© 2013 Alissa Zhu, Courtesy of Photoshare
50
9 789241 510066
www.who.int/end-childhood-obesity/en